GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ACRONYMS A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z O Operation and maintenance (O&M) Operation and maintenance (O&M) activities protect the integrity of a Superfund site's cleanup plan. O&M measures are initiated by a state after cleanup objectives have been reached, and the site is determined to be operational and functional (O&F) based on state and federal agreement. Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) The Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) develops national programs, technical policies and regulations for controlling air pollution and radiation exposure. Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) The Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA), works in partnership with EPA regional offices, and state, tribal, and other federal agencies to ensure compliance with the nation's environmental laws. By employing an integrated approach of compliance assistance, compliance incentives, and innovative civil and criminal enforcement, OECA and its partners seek to maximize compliance and reduce threats to public health and the environment. Office of Emergency and Remedial Response (OERR) The Office of Emergency and Remedial Response (OERR) manages the Superfund program, which was created to protect citizens from the dangers posed by abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. Congress established Superfund through the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Office of Emergency and Remedial Response Geographic Information System (OERRGIS) The Office of Emergency and Remedial Response Geographic Information System (OERRGIS) Work Group coordinates and shares information on GIS projects related to the Superfund and Oil Programs within the OERR and works with EPA Regional offices on GIS-related issues. Oil Pollution Act (OPA) The Oil Pollution Act (OPA) was created largely in response to rising public concern following the Exxon Valdez incident to improve the nation's ability to prevent and respond to oil spills. OPA established provisions that expands the federal government's authority and provides the money and resources necessary to respond to oil spills. The OPA also created the national Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, which can provide up to one billion dollars per spill incident. Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) The Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) regulates the use of all pesticides in the U. S. and establishes maximum levels for pesticide residues in food, thereby safeguarding the nation's food supply. Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) The Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) focuses on promoting pollution prevention efforts for controlling industrial pollution; safer chemicals through a combination of regulatory and voluntary efforts; risk reduction to minimize exposure to existing substances such as lead, asbestos, dioxin and polychlorinated biphenyls; and public understanding of risks by providing understandable, accessible and complete information on chemical risks to the broadest audience possible. Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substance (OPPTS) The Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substance (OPPTS) oversees the Office of Pesticides Programs (OPP) and the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT). OPPTS promotes pollution prevention and the public's right to know about chemical risks. Some of OPPTS's top priorities include dealing with emerging issues like endocrine disrupters and lead poisoning prevention. Office of Research and Development (ORD) The Office of Research and Development (ORD) conducts leading-edge research and fosters the sound use of science and technology to help fulfill EPA's mission to protect human health and safeguard the environment. As a part of that effort, ORD performs research and development to identify, understand, and solve current and future environmental problems; provides responsive technical support to EPA's mission; integrates the work of ORD's scientific partners (other agencies, nations, private sector organizations and academia); and provides leadership in addressing emerging environmental issues and in advancing the science and technology of risk assessment and risk management. Office of Science Coordination and Policy (OSCP) The Office of Science Coordination and Policy (OSCP) provides coordination, leadership, peer review and synthesis of science policy within the Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances. OSCP program areas include biotechnology, endocrine disrupters and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP). Office of Sustainable Ecosystems and Communities (OSEC) The Office of Sustainable Ecosystems and Communities (OSEC) helps implement integrated, geographic approaches to environmental protection with an emphasis on ecological integrity, economic sustainability and quality of life-known as Community Based Environmental Protection (CBEP). OSEC develops and supports demonstration projects, tools and policies that sustain CBEP activities. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) goals are to save lives, prevent injuries and protect the health of America's workers. OSHA and its state partners have approximately 2,100 inspectors, plus complaint discrimination investigators, engineers, physicians, educators, standards writers and other technical and support personnel in more than 200 offices throughout the country. This staff establishes protective standards, enforces those standards, and reaches out to employers and employees through technical assistance and consultation programs. Outreach and Special Projects Staff (OSPS) The Outreach and Special Projects Staff (OSPS) coordinates and implements for the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) the agency's principles and new initiatives, such as Brownfields, Environmental Justice (EJ), and the Tribal initiatives. Through its unique cross-program perspective, OSPS involves all stakeholders and seeks to leverage OSWER resources through partnerships with EPA Headquarters and Regions, public and private organizations, and the general public. Office of Solid Waste (OSW) The Office of Solid Waste (OSW) operates under authority of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). OSW protects human health and the environment by ensuring responsible national management of hazardous and non-hazardous waste. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) The Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) develops guidelines and standards for the land disposal of hazardous wastes and underground storage tanks. OSWER also implements a program to respond to abandoned and active hazardous waste sites and accidental releases, including some oil spills, and encourages the use of innovative technologies for contaminated soil and groundwater.